Subriel Matias Speaks On Upcoming Title Fight with Jeremias Ponce
Subriel Matias (18-1, 18 KOs) is just days away from his February 25 battle against Jeremias Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. The bout will air live on SHOWTIME.
Both men are hungry to win a world title. During an interview with Ring Magazine, Matias detailed the seriousness of this battle.
“[This fight] is the most important of my career because it is my first [world] title [fight]. The fight will last for as long as it lasts. I think that the styles lend themselves to the knockout before the last bell.”
PAYING HIS DUES
It’s been a long process to make this matchup. After the then-undisputed champion Josh Taylor vacated the IBF strap in August 2022, Matias and Ponce were to fight in October 2022. But circumstances forced the fight to be pushed back numerous times.
Now it’s here, and Matias has made more than his share of sacrifices. The 30-year-old trained for Matias in Mexico, but that move wasn’t necessarily his choice. While working out in Jiquipilco, Mexico, Matias was forced to stay because of an ordered quarantine. As a result, he’s been in Mexico since May 2, 2022.
Matias made the best of it by continuing to train. But what most frustrated him was the isolation and being away from his family.
ALL THE MAKINGS OF A WAR
The native of Puerto Rico is a fighter who loves to initiate action. He’s facing a Ponce who has a very similar style. The ingredients are there for a slugfest.
But Matias’s sole focus is doing what he must for him to walk away as the winner. Can he achieve a lifelong dream of becoming a world champion? That’s going to be answered once the bell rings on fight night.
